Unusual forgery?

[Guest Neil-24-7]

Hi folks, my name is neil and i'm a newbie here and was given the link on one of the metal detecting forums, i found a forged coin of Queen Anne on sunday however on closer inspection the date on the back reads 1720?, have they used a Queen Anne front with a George I reverse? if so any ideas why they may have done this? also was this common.

Many thanks Neil

[scottishmoney]

It was common, this is a plated forgery, probably dating into the mid 18th century. Whomever made it, probably was not literate, ie the numerals, letters etc. meant nothing, or they did not know when Anne reigned, ie 1702-1714. These are actually more interesting for that reason than if say the date on the coin was 1713 or within her reign. Mistakes are not uncommon, but they give the forgeries more character later on.

I myself collect all the forged pre-1707 Scottish coins I can get my paws on. The penalty for forging coins then was severe, quick trial and death were guaranteed. So people were desperate to engage in such activities, that considering the penalties, it is remarkable that these coins survive.

[Guest Neil-24-7]

It was common, this is a plated forgery, probably dating into the mid 18th century. Whomever made it, probably was not literate, ie the numerals, letters etc. meant nothing, or they did not know when Anne reigned, ie 1702-1714. These are actually more interesting for that reason than if say the date on the coin was 1713 or within her reign. Mistakes are not uncommon, but they give the forgeries more character later on.

I myself collect all the forged pre-1707 Scottish coins I can get my paws on. The penalty for forging coins then was severe, quick trial and death were guaranteed. So people were desperate to engage in such activities, that considering the penalties, it is remarkable that these coins survive.

I also found a george III half crown a few weeks ago thats also a forgery, must have been a right bunch of crooks here in the north east , thanks for the info